AFPA MANIFESTO GAINS POLITICAL TRACTION
Monday 2nd August, 2010
Late last week the AFPA had ongoing discussions with the Government and Opposition in relation to our 2010 Federal Election manifesto. A copy of the manifesto has been attached to this news story.
The AFPA met with the Chief of Staff of the Office of the Minister for Home Affairs Brendan O’Connor to discuss details of the issues raised in our manifesto. The Office of the Minister of Home Affairs expressed appreciation for the well-articulated views of the AFPA and appeared to take a genuine interest in progressing them. The Chief of Staff sought our view on the prioritisation of the issues raised in the AFPA manifesto. As always, the AFPA drew attention to the safety of police officers and the public they protect. This inevitably requires adequate police numbers and therefore the reaffirmation of the Labor Party’s commitment to 500 additional police officers and the associated budget commitments for the 2011/12; 2012/13; and 2013/14 financial years, as per current budget papers.
The AFPA also met with the Opposition Leader the Honourable Tony Abbott MP, Shadow Attorney General the Honourable George Brandis SC and Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Public Security and Policing Jason Wood MP, in relation to the Opposition’s announcement of an Australian Crime Commission-led national ‘violent gangs’ task force consisting of experienced investigators seconded from federal and state/territory police. This announcement is consistent with an important national security issue raised by the AFPA in our manifesto:- AFP Targeting of High Threat Organised Crime Groups.
The Opposition’s announcement includes additional funding for the AFP with an assurance that there will be no diversion of current operational funding. This initiative funds additional AFP sworn police above current AFP sworn numbers and should contribute to a reduction of organised crime gang violence.
It is incumbent upon the AFPA to keep in the forefront of the minds of the Government, the Opposition and smaller political parties, the critical need for the AFP to be funded in such a way as to enable it to offer remuneration and conditions that attract and retain the very best employees within the AFP.
The AFPA is proud that it has the ability to meet with all major political parties and believes this valuable opportunity exists because of our transparent non-partisan position and the professional stance that we take in relation to law enforcement and national security. Importantly, the AFPA does not have any affiliation with, nor donates to, any political party - unlike other unions.
The AFPA looks forward to further announcements being made by various political parties in support of the issues raised by the AFPA on behalf of our members.